12: Family Comes First (Along the Way, Chapter 5 - Surprise!)

"We were looking at a singer/songwriter that Chuck found, so we went over to San Francisco to watch her perform in a club. I'm sorry to worry you. I know I haven't been around much, but I've finally decided to sign her, and assigned these new artists to other members of the team, so things should calm down." Then he matched his lips to mine for an intense kiss and asked, "Is it too late for some therapy, Mrs. Criss? We haven't made much time for that recently..."

As my husband moved his lips down my neck to the spot on my collar bone that made me go weak from pleasure, I panted, "It's never too late, Mr. Criss."

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The following morning all four members of the Criss family were smiling and cheerful. Van had completed his homework with Lea's help, Harry had put the finishing touches on his entry for the robot-building competition we would be attending that weekend, and Darren and I were still reveling in the after-effects of our lovemaking. It had been too long and before we fell asleep in each others' arms, we had discussed how our relationship needed ongoing care just like our kids and our careers.

Once we were all seated around the breakfast table, though, Darren grasped my hand for support and cleared his throat, "Boys...I need to...apologize to you..."

Van and Harry looked up from their cereal bowls, staring at me in confusion. I nodded encouragingly, so they both turned to their father, waiting for what he had to say.

"Harry, Van, I've been spending way too much time at work lately, and not enough time with you...and Mom."

An expression of understanding crossed our older son's face, "It's okay, Dad. We get it...you've been busy..."

Darren interrupted, "No, Harry, it's not okay. Yes, I've been busy, but I got caught up, and let myself forget that family comes first." He reached for Van's hand now. "I'm particularly sorry for last night, Van. I said I would help with your music assignment, and then flaked out for no good reason. Can you forgive me, honey?"

Van had been quiet up to this point, absorbing everything in his contemplative way. Nodding, he replied, "Sure, Dad. It wasn't that big of a deal."

"I'll do my absolute best to make sure it doesn't happen again."

"Dad, really, it's all right...I under..."

"No, Van, I shouldn't have broken my promise!" Darren was obviously more upset by his lapse than he had let on to me the previous night.

"Honey," I squeezed my husband's hand. "It's okay. We know that you didn't do it on purpose." Both our sons were beside their father by this point, hugging him from opposite directions.

In a quivering voice, Darren patted their arms and said, "Thank you, boys." Kissing them on the tops of their heads, he continued more steadily, "Okay, guys, finish your breakfast before it gets late."

Going back to their places and figuring that everything was settled, Harry, Darren and I smiled at each other, then went back to eating. Van, however, wasn't quite done. He started hesitantly, "Everyone?"

We all looked at him expectantly. "Yes, honey?" I asked.

"Part of family coming first is keeping promises. But isn't another part understanding when someone can't keep a promise because things didn't go like they planned?"

A broad grin spread over Harry's face as he spooned up more cereal. Darren and I stared at each other for a minute before turning to our perceptive younger son. I was the first one to find my voice, "It is, Van."

With a satisfied smile, our younger son went back to his breakfast as well.

Squeezing my hand, my husband mouthed, "I love you ALL so much."

I mouthed back, "We love you more."